Chapter 11
The notes enveloped my soul like the golden sunlight of midsummer, leaving a mark that would never fade.
As a crown princess, no, as a human being, it’s impossible not to be captivated by Anton Tilburg’s music.
— Elize Flovitz
***
The sheet music containing the Crown Princess’s recommendation quickly became the talk of the town.
It took less than a day for the initial 100 copies to sell out completely.
We had to urgently print more.
“Why would someone like you buy sheet music if you can’t even play the piano?”
“It’s for collection purposes.”
The first edition of Anton Tilburg’s Sheet Music Collection.
Moreover, it contained a personal recommendation by Her Highness the Crown Princess.
For nobles, nothing could spark their desire to collect more than this item.
The best-selling collection of Victor Kosolin’s compositions, which had dominated for months, was instantly overshadowed.
“I’m surprised by your foresight, young master. How about starting a business with this momentum?”
“Haha.”
The more the sheet music sold, the brighter Edward’s expression became.
Undoubtedly, he was the happiest person right now.
Hundreds of copies had been sold in just a week, and even after deducting all expenses, the revenue he earned alone surpassed 100 gold.
Of course, most of that would eventually end up in my pockets, but the start was promising.
If this continued, the revenue from sheet music sales might even exceed that of the theatre.
The fact that even a businessman like Edward was astonished spoke volumes about how surreal the situation was.
“How are the preparations for the competition coming along?”
Now it was time to move on to the next plan.
Incidentally, there’s no such term as ‘concours’ in this world.
So I had to come up with a new name:
The Anton Tilburg Piano Competition.
Although it sounds a bit ridiculous, the sentiment is similar, so it doesn’t matter.
The theme, of course, would be the pieces included in my sheet music collection.
“It’s ready to start at any moment.”
I immediately asked Edward to make an announcement.
***
The day of the competition arrived.
The theatre was reserved and set up as the venue for the event.
“Is it really appropriate for me to be sitting here?”
Count Haverland asked awkwardly.
The reason I had him sit in the judges’ panel was simple.
Most of the participants would either be nobles or their children, and if I, the son of a baron, judged them alone, wouldn’t that seem absurd?
No matter how much I’m considered a ‘musician,’ I had to be cautious.
It’s best to avoid any situation that could provoke unnecessary comments.
These people specialize in nitpicking, after all.
“You only need to share a brief comment.”
“I’ll do my best.”
“Alright, let’s get started!”
One by one, the participants stepped onto the stage and showcased their performances.
I was curious to see how much they had practiced.
If I could discover a hidden gem here, that would be ideal.
The first performer was called to the stage.
“I’m Lea Dressel from the House of Duke Dressel.”
“…What?”
***
Our first encounter was not a pleasant one.
Not only did she pester Edward about providing sponsorship, but she even stalked my carriage.
And I couldn’t stand up to her because she’s the Daughter of a Duke.
It was a troublesome situation, and now, here we are, facing each other again.
In a competition that I’m hosting, no less.
“…Oh, um, you may begin… whenever you’re ready.”
I was so flustered that I couldn’t even speak properly.
With a confident stride, she sat at the piano and started playing.
Just by hearing the introduction, I could tell it was Grieg’s Arietta, one of the pieces included in my collection.
It’s a short lyrical piece filled with the essence of Romanticism.
The melody is flowing and beautiful, and its simplicity makes it a favourite among beginners.
But…
“Anton, what on earth is this music?”
“I have no idea either.”
Is it even possible to ruin such a simple and sweet piece like this?
Except for the initial part, it was so off that it might as well have been her own composition.
Thank goodness it’s a short piece.
If it were any longer, I would’ve been exhausted right from the start of the competition.
Lea Dressel finished her performance and stood up.
“We’ll provide feedback after all the participants have performed. Thank you for your performance.”
She left the stage with a satisfied expression as soon as I finished speaking.
She seemed fully absorbed in herself.
“Let’s quickly call the next person.”
“Yes, that’s for the best.”
The next participant to take the stage was a young girl.
“Oh.”
She was the young lady from a provincial baron’s family who had visited the manor on the evening of the public concert.
I still vividly remember how happy she looked when she received the sheet music.
Fidgeting shyly, she sat down and began to play.
The piece she chose was, of course, Schubert’s Moment Musical No. 3.
Her tiny hands diligently struck the keys, creating a rather cute scene.
It was a little stiff, but not bad.
She must have practiced diligently.
If she grows a bit more, she might become a decent pianist.
For now, I decided to keep an eye on her.
Next.
“Please, take good care of me.”
“…Yes.”
An elderly gentleman walked onto the stage.
Judging by his attire, he seemed to be a noble of fairly high status.
His short-cropped, slicked-back blonde hair gleamed, and his strong physique was like that of a transplanted ancient tree.
It was hard to guess his age just from his appearance, but the deep wrinkles on his face revealed the long years he had lived.
He seemed to be at least seventy years old.
“He’s the head of the Montella Duchy, and is well-known as the crown prince’s academy instructor.”
“…What?”
Why would such a person come here?
Suddenly, Count Haverland stood up from his seat and bowed to the elderly duke standing in front of the piano.
I had no choice but to follow suit.
“Please, take good care of us.”
“Haha.”
The Elderly Duke let out a gentle laugh and immediately started playing.
Träumerei.
It’s a piece from Schumann’s Kinderszenen, known for its gentle and elegant melody rather than difficult technique.
“It’s not just the piece, but the Duke’s skill is also impressive.”
“I think so too.”
Although he occasionally made a few wrong notes, his basic skills were so excellent that it didn’t interfere with the appreciation.
Moreover, there was a distinctive personal interpretation that came from years of experience.
“Indeed.”
Until recently, there had been a problem with the music in this world.
There was a general lack of understanding regarding harmony.
Consonance didn’t exist, and melodies continued in a perpetually unstable state.
Without a concept or perception of what ‘pleasant to the ear’ music is, no matter how skilled the performer, cultural development would never progress.
Meanwhile, I’ve been spreading established masterpieces in the form of sheet music, so it’s no wonder where their thirst is directed.
I had handed skilled craftsmen the right tools.
“It’s not that they lacked ability; it’s just that the music wasn’t good.”
Listening to the elderly duke’s performance alone makes that clear.
These people have the potential to create magnificent works of art if only they’re given the right materials.
“Thank you very much for your wonderful performance.”
I expressed my gratitude with proper decorum.
The elderly duke slightly lifted the corners of his mouth into a smile and then stepped down from the stage.
We were nearing the end.
After that, a few more participants came up to perform.
They were all quite skilled, but my mind was already made up.
“So far, Duke Montella’s performance has been the best.”
“I agree.”
“The last participant is…”
A young man, seemingly around my age, stepped onto the stage.
“Hmm?”
His outfit appeared rather plain.
Brown hair and blue eyes.
His appearance was handsome, but his clothing was practically in tatters.
‘Is he a Commoner?’
I was even more surprised than when I faced the Elderly Duke.
Music, after all, is a noble pastime.
A commoner would rarely have the opportunity to even touch a piano.
“I am Erdi Villette, a newspaper delivery boy working in the capital.”
Another newspaper delivery boy?
There’s no way the crown princess disguised herself and came here again.
I should ask more after hearing his performance.
The man who introduced himself as Erdi Villette sat down at the piano.
His fingers moved across the keys with such vigor that it seemed almost violent.
Wait, what?
‘Who is this guy?’
It’s neither Schumann, nor Schubert, nor Grieg, nor Dvořák.
‘William Tell Overture?’
I hadn’t even released the sheet music for that piece yet.
It’s incomplete because I’m still struggling to recreate it perfectly myself.
But then.
‘He’s mimicking it, albeit imperfectly.’
Although the second half almost seemed like an entirely new piece, he kept the main theme melody while unfolding the music with a suitable rhythm.
I was at a loss for words.
‘Did he copy that after hearing it just once?’
If someone had seen my expression at that moment, they might have burst into laughter, asking what was wrong with me.
Count Haverland was just as shocked.
He thought the Elderly Duke’s performance was the climax, but then this guy showed up.
I couldn’t contain the excitement rising inside me.
‘I found him!’
That was how I met Erdi Villette.
***
“I will now announce the winners.”
This time, I had the participants sit in the audience while I stood on stage.
Although they all maintained calm expressions, the tension was palpable.
I should wrap this up quickly; otherwise, I might end up getting lynched.
“Third place goes to, Sisley Boel!”
“Waaah!”
It was the young lady from the baron’s family whom I had been keeping an eye on.
The Schubert piece she played was quite refined.
Like a child, her note lengths varied unevenly, but I liked how she cheerfully tapped on the keys.
“Thank you very much!”
I handed her the certificate I had asked Edward to prepare in advance.
I wanted to create a trophy, but the production costs were quite high, so I gave up.
Save where you can.
“Next, second place. Congratulations, Duke Montella.”
“Hahaha.”
The Elderly Duke, looking slightly embarrassed, walked up to the stage.
After receiving the certificate, he extended his hand for a handshake.
“Your compositions are all truly wonderful.”
“Thank you very much.”
“I had a lot of fun, thanks to you.”
Duke Montella’s skills were undoubtedly at the level of a professional pianist.
There was no question about it.
“And now, for first place!”
The entire theatre was filled with tension.
—
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